Get to know the Headlight Motor Man: Topher McGinnis

At the ripe age of 14, I started working at Jodie’s Phillips 66 service station. This was a natural place for me to start as I have always had a drive to fix things. The lessons I learned at Jodie’s are foundational to what I still practice today: Excellent Customer Service, and fixing things the right way the first time.

As the years went on, I developed my skills as a mechanic and I met my car. As luck would have it, a guy I went to school with asked me to go with him and look at a 1967 Charger. I thought, “They didn’t build a Charger in 67… did they?” So we went to look at it, and my first thought was, “Dang, what an ugly car. I wouldn’t park that thing in my driveway.”

2 years later, I bought it for a song and drove her home, where she’s been in my care for 31 years! To say I have changed my mind about the car is an understatement!

When I bought her, for 15 years, the headlights didn’t open or close unless they were rolled manually.

One day, I decided I would try to fix them. I did, and when I told a Mopar Group, several guys asked me if I would fix theirs too. The rest is history.

While working a full-time job as a mechanic, I began restoring motors for friends and customers in the garage of my home. As time progressed, I was able to transition to full-time motor restoration- what a dream! Check out the Products I offer here!

Learn about my employee of the month here!